FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
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We are proud of our past and we are prepared for the future!Opened in September 1861 by John R. Wheeler, the Union Bank, later renamed Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, began general banking business on James Street in downtown Columbus. Expansion began in 1919 when famed architect Louis Sullivan began construction on the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank building in downtown Columbus. Sullivan’s masterpiece, commonly known, as his “Jewel Box” became a showpiece for the small town of Columbus and made the National Historical Registery in 1972. The Jewel Box bank was designated a National Historic Landmark (the highest designation of all historic places in 1983.) The beautifully ornamented Columbus bank, known as the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, would be the last of eight small community banks Louis Sullivan completed. These eight banks would later become known as Sullivan’s ‘Jewel Boxes.’ Our bank is one of only two to be operating as a bank today. Meticulously maintained, this historic landmark is open for tours! Farmers & Merchants Union Bank has grown over the last 150+ years to include six locations throughout Columbus, Fall River, Friesland, Juneau and Rio. History Timeline of Farmers & Merchants Union BankSeptember 5, 1861: Union Bank Opens in room of Dry Goods Store (private bank) | President: John R. Wheeler September 24, 1862: Bank is incorporated as a state bank 1865: Bank moved into building across street from current location 1872-73: Union Bank sold to brother-in-law Lester R. Rockwell 1884: Bank’s name changes to Farmers & Merchants Union Bank | President: A.G. Cook 1896: John E. Wheeler (son of John R. Wheeler) purchased bank | President: John E. Wheeler | (capital stock $10,000) 1903: Became state bank again (capital stock $25,000) 1903: Capital stock increases to $50,000 1910: J Russell Wheeler attended lecture and became active in agriculture and the Banker-Farmer Movement 1910: Building of original bank was torn down 1916: J Russell Wheeler organized first Banker-Farmer Conference in Madison, WI 1917: John R. Wheeler dies | President: J Russell Wheeler (sold bank stock outside of family) 1919-1920: Louis Sullivan built the FMUB “Jewel Box” | President: J Russell Wheeler (wife: Anna Mae) June 14, 1920: Moved into “Jewel Box” building 1924: Louis Sullivan dies 1925: William Fritz becomes Bank President October 14, 1939: Purchased Friesland State Bank | President: William Fritz 1944: William Fritz dies | Fred A. Stare becomes bank President 1960-1961: First addition of drive-thru 1961: FMUB celebrates new addition & 100th Anniversary 1962: T. Bernard “Bud” Thomas becomes bank President 1970: Second addition/remodel drive-thru October 18, 1972: Placed on National Register of Historic Places January 7, 1976: Designated National Historic Landmark 1978-1979: Third addition - Tetzlaff Drug Store 1983: John S. Pratt becomes bank President March 21, 1994: Columbus Branch Opened 1995: Roger Thomas becomes bank President September 1, 1997: Moved into new Friesland building 1997-1998: “Jewel Box” façade restoration 1999: Randall G. Bobholz becomes bank President October 2002: Broke ground on Juneau Branch on Jewel St. February 24, 2003: Juneau Branch opened on Jewel St. 2005-2007: Addition to downtown FMUB building April 23, 2007: Purchased Fall River Associated Bank Building April 24, 2007: Fall River Branch opened 2009: Columbus Branch addition & remodel October 29, 2012: Start of downtown remodel January 7-18, 2013: Painting & Patchwork in lobby and Mezzanine of downtown office November 2013: Purchased Greenwoods State Bank building in Rio December 2, 2013: Rio Branch opened August 15, 2018: Broke ground on new Juneau Branch building on S. Western Ave. June 14, 2019: New Juneau Branch building on S. Western Ave. opened |
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